Countries to Visit in November: 20+ Weather‑Smart, Crowd‑Light, Budget‑Friendly Picks

1) How we chose the best countries to visit in November

We combined:

• Top-ranking guides (Lonely Planet, Condé Nast Traveller, Wendy Perrin, NH Hotels, Holidify, Vinpearl/VinWonders, Dollar Flight Club).
• Seasonality signals (e.g., Thailand’s cool & dry season, Cuba’s dry season, India’s post-monsoon clarity, Cape Town’s early summer).
• Event windows & foliage peaks (Japan & South Korea autumn colors, Lisbon’s late-year glow, Mexico’s post-Día de Muertos sweet spot).
• Crowd/price dynamics from budget sources & traveler communities.

Goal: Give you a global shortlist that maximizes weather comfort, value, & special seasonal experiences—and makes it easy to plan with your travel community or meetup group.

2) Macro‑Weather Map: Where’s dry, sunny, and value‑rich in November?

• Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam): Cool & dry season starts → blue skies, good diving visibility, iconic festivals (e.g., Loy Krathong).
• South Asia (India): Post-monsoon clarity, festivals, pleasant temps (avoid high Himalayas).
• Caribbean & Central America (Cuba, Mexico’s Yucatán, Panama): Start/during dry season = beach-perfect weather before Christmas rates surge.
• Southern Africa (Cape Town): Early summer, vineyards blooming, pre-peak pricing.
• Middle East (Dubai/UAE): Goldilocks desert temps.
• East Asia (Japan, South Korea): Peak autumn foliage in many regions.
• Atlantic mild belts (Portugal/Lisbon, Canary Islands): Mellow temps, softer prices than summer.

3) Top 20 countries to visit in November (why, weather, watch‑outs)

Each pick below includes why it works in November, the weather/climate edge, and critical watch-outs.

1) Thailand

Why: Cool, dry season; beach weather in the south; Loy Krathong festival magic in Chiang Mai & Bangkok. Great value + easy to meet other travelers.

Watch-outs: Prices rise vs. rainy season; book popular hubs early.

2) India (Plains, Rajasthan, Kerala — skip the high Himalayas)

Why: Post-monsoon clarity, festival calendar (e.g., Pushkar Camel Fair), cooler temps for forts/backwaters.

Watch-outs: Delhi smog peaks late autumn; pivot to Rajasthan/Goa/Kerala for better air.

3) Cuba

Why: Dry season starts, pleasant temps in Havana (~29/21 °C), vibrant music culture, fewer hurricanes than earlier months.

Watch-outs: Connectivity issues; prep offline maps/eSIMs.

4) Mexico (Yucatán, Oaxaca, Mexico City)

Why: Yucatán enters dry/warm season; Mexico City is cool & cultural post–Día de Muertos; Oaxaca has ideal food/culture weather.

Watch-outs: Crowds spike around Día de Muertos (late Oct/early Nov) — shift later in the month for serenity.

5) Portugal (Lisbon & the South)

Why: Lisbon’s November light is famously photogenic, crowds thin, and tables are easier to book.

Watch-outs: Nights can be cool/damp—bring layers.

6) South Africa (Cape Town & Winelands)

Why: Early summer, but before Xmas surges—Table Mountain hikes, beaches, and vineyards at friendlier prices.

Watch-outs: Book top wine estates early for weekends.

7) Panama

Why: Birdwatching in cloud forests, San Blás islands; heading into the dry season.

Watch-outs: Early November can still be wet—late month is safer.

8) South Korea (Seoul & national parks)

Why: Peak autumn foliage (Bukhansan, Naejangsan), cool & comfortable hiking temps.

Watch-outs: Nights are chilly; pack layers.

9) Japan (Honshu & Kyushu)

Why: Koyo (autumn leaves), low typhoon risk, culinary season is on fire (crab, matsutake).

Watch-outs: Kyoto/Nikko book out early—reserve ahead.

10) Spain (Canary Islands)

Why: Year-round spring; 75–80°F breezes; beach + volcanic landscapes.

Watch-outs: Still popular with European winter-escapees—but far calmer than peak Med summer.

11) Vietnam

Why: Central & southern Vietnam trend drier/sunnier with great scuba visibility.

Watch-outs: North can be cool/showery; choose carefully.

12) Kenya

Why: Green/shoulder season safari = cheaper, lusher parks (Masai Mara, Amboseli).

Watch-outs: Tall grasses & thicker vegetation can make spotting a bit harder.

13) Dubai / UAE

Why: Goldilocks temps for beach mornings, desert evenings; events ramp up (DP World Tour Championship, F1 Abu Dhabi).

Watch-outs: Rates spike around mega-events—book early.

14) Maldives

Why: Dry, warm, lower-rain probability vs. shoulder monsoon months; excellent dive visibility.

Watch-outs: Luxury prices can bite—look for local island guesthouses or new-resort promos.

15) Jordan

Why: Mild temps for Petra/Wadi Rum, shoulder season deals, fewer crowds.

Watch-outs: Pack layers—night temps dip hard in the desert.

16) Morocco (Optional bonus)

Why: Riad deals, desert tours in comfortable temps, Atlantic surf towns pumping. (Not top-10 SERP ranked, but a strong November candidate.)

17) Sri Lanka (South/West coasts)

Why: West & South coasts enter the dry season; wildlife spotting stays strong.

Watch-outs: North/East can still be mixed weather; check regional monsoon maps.

18) Canada (Vancouver Island / BC)

Why: Contrarian pick: storm-watching in Tofino + city deals in Vancouver.

Watch-outs: This is experience-driven (rain, wind)—pack accordingly.

19) Georgia (Caucasus)

Why: Culinary + wine-harvest tail, low prices, rising travel-media buzz.

Watch-outs: Higher mountains get cold quickly—focus on Tbilisi/Kakheti.

20) Portugal’s Islands (Madeira, Azores)

Why: Madeira’s levada hikes, Azores’ geothermal drama, and Lisbon’s glow with far fewer crowds.

Watch-outs: Weather can be capricious on islands—build flex into your itinerary.

4) Best countries to visit in November by traveler type

Beach & Warm Water Lovers

Thailand, Vietnam (south/central), Maldives, Mexico (Yucatán), Cuba, Canary Islands, Dubai, Cape Town.

Autumn Foliage & Culture

Japan, South Korea, Portugal (Lisbon light & food), Georgia (wine route).

Wildlife & Adventure

Kenya (green season), Panama (birding), India (tiger parks better conditions), South Africa (Table Mountain hikes).

Ultra-Budget / Flight-Deal Hunters

Thailand, Portugal (Lisbon), Cape Town, Honolulu (USA), Uzbekistan/Moldova (community-cited value).

5) Cheapest countries to visit in November (evidence-backed)

• Thailand — post-monsoon value before Christmas spikes.
• Portugal (Lisbon) — shoulder deals + reduced crowds.
• Cape Town, South Africa — early summer before holiday surge.
• Kenya — green-season safari pricing.
• Uzbekistan / Moldova / Eastern Europe — excellent value vs. Western Europe.

6) Hidden gem & contrarian picks

• Lanzarote (Canaries) — lava fields + La Geria vineyards.
• Panama’s cloud forests — emerging birding paradise.
• Georgia (Caucasus) — wine routes & low-cost gastronomy.
• Jordan — shoulder discounts with perfect hiking temps.

10) Conclusion

If you’re building your shortlist of countries to visit in November, think shoulder season strategy: Southeast Asia turns dry and sunny, India is post‑monsoon perfect, Caribbean/Mexico are gearing up for the dry season (go before December surges), Cape Town is entering early summer, and East Asia is exploding with autumn foliage. November gives you comfort weather, fair prices, and special seasonal experiences—from festival‑rich India to Kenya’s green safaris.

Action step: Post your November travel window in your Trespot community chat, find buddies to split villas, safaris, or rental cars, and start planning your weather‑smart, budget‑savvy adventure.

11) FAQs — Countries to Visit in November

1) What are the absolute best countries to visit in November for guaranteed sun?

Thailand, Maldives, Cuba, Mexico (Yucatán), Dubai, and the Canary Islands offer reliable warmth and generally dry skies.

2) Which countries are cheapest to visit in November?

Thailand, Portugal (Lisbon), parts of Eastern Europe (e.g., Moldova/Uzbekistan), and Cape Town are frequently identified by deal trackers and budget travelers.

3) Where can I see the best autumn foliage in November?

Japan and South Korea are the headliners; Lisbon’s November light is stunning (though not a foliage hotspot).

4) Is Kenya a good idea in November?

Yes—shoulder/green season brings cheaper safaris and lush scenery, though wildlife can be harder to spot.

5) Where can I avoid crowds but still get warm weather?

Try Lisbon, Cape Town (early Nov), Panama (late Nov), Canary Islands outside school breaks, or Thailand’s less-touristed coasts (Trang, Koh Yao).